Amusement apparatus



July 1, 1941. F. c. TWIST AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l 3mm Z4. fir/'52) July 1, 1941. F. TWIST 2,247,533 I I AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept 1, 1939 4 Sheets-sheet 2 July 1, 1941. TWIST 2,247,533

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 1, 1941. F.'C. TWIST AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I rams:

Patented July 1, 1941 U N ITE D STAT E S PAT E NT OFFICE AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Frederick Cicero Twist, Weldon, 111.

Application September 1, 1939, Serial No..293,093-

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in amusement apparatus of that type, specifically, usually known as, and given the name of teetertotter.

The main object of the invention is to provide astructure" of a type or form in which the teeterboard in its teetering movements is caused to partake. of anascending action andv which, upon reaching a predetermined height returns to its normal low or starting position.

Another object lies in furnishing a standard having steps arranged in vertical order and to associate therewith a teeter-board provided with a pair of spaced pawls, one at each side of the standard, all being so arranged that in its teetering movement, due to alternate engagement of the pawl, the board will be made to walk or climb up such standard;

Further, that when the board has reached a predetermined height it will automatically reverse its movement and by gravity walk down said standard to its normal or starting position.

In addition to the above objects the invention lies in certain details of construction and in arrangement of parts to be brought out herein and form the subject of some of the claims to follow, it being understood that while certain structures are shown and described. it isnot the intention to be confined to such structures in bringing about the result sought, since equivalent ways may be provided such as wouldfairly fall within the meaning of the claims.

To the end. that the invention may be clearly understood the accompanying drawings are provided forming part hereof.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus involving the invention, showing two positions of an operating part thereof;

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a top structure'of a portion'of a support or standard of the apparatus, shown in Figure l, and bracing parts therefor;

Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus according to said Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates in perspective the pawl arrangement shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a rear view in elevation of a teeterboard seat showing certain parts in cross section;

Figure 5 is a plan of parts shown in Figure 3 together with a standard and other parts entering into the invention;

Figure 6 is an elevation of part of a standard shown in Figure 5, in part section on line 6-6 of that figure, together with associated parts of the apparatus;

Figure '7 is ahorizontal section of parts taken on line 'l--l of Figure 6-;

Figure 8 is an elevation of parts shown in Fig.- ure '7 as seen from another side or as viewed by rotating the said parts as shown insaidr Figure 7 through an angle of 90?;

Figures 9, 10, and 1-1 show in perspective parts illustrated in Figures 6' and 8 separated from each other;

Figures 12 and 13 are elevations of a support or standard and pawls shown in earlier figures, together with parts shown in section, the-whole illustratingpawl positions at said standard;

Figure 14 is a plan in detail of a spring and a carrier therefor, and

Figure 15 is a side elevation of some of the structural parts of Figure 1 showing added parts as a slight modification ofthe apparatus, for a purpose to be made known.

The purpose of the. invention, briefly, is to provide a teeter-board as it will. be termed herein that through effort of the riders stationed thereon, in bringing about a teetering or rocking motion, will cause the same to be gradually raised step-by-step to any desired height above the ground by a pair of pawls or dogs engaging, alternately, certain steps arranged in vertical line upon a support. Further, to provide means whereby upon reaching any given height a shiftable mechanism will be automatically operated sov that the pawls or dogs will be so aifected that a control means will admit of the teeter-board returning to the starting position by gravity stepby-step, whereupon the said mechanism will be shifted to restore the pawls to position. for a second climbing operation.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings I desi nates a supporting frame for the apparatus, suitably braced and which may include a central member 2 upon which is supported an upright support or standard 3, the upper end of the latter being braced by frame portions 4 afiixed to a top bar 5 and to said frame I.

The support or standard 3 in this instance is shown as of channel form, the central web of which, as noted in Figures 1 and 1 is fabricated to form a series of steps 3' alternating in positions, laterally, one above the other and extending substantially the full length or height of that member, all of said steps not being shown, however.

Mounted to move vertically upon the support 3 is a slide consisting in this instance of a pair of bars 6, Figure 10, particularly, also Figures 3 and 5, said bars lying one at each of two opposite sides of the said support, Figures and 7, the whole being supported by certain pawls engageable with the steps 3' as will be presently understood. Pivotally mounted at each bar 6 is a member 1, Figures 5 and 8, as will appear.

In the present instance the bars 6 lie upon the flanges of the support 3 and each carries a roller 8 within said channel to engage the walls of the same.

Each member I is suspended from a bar of a pair of members or bars 9 of some considerable length as part of the teetering structure, said bars rocking with the members 1, the latter pivoting on bolts 1' which carry the named rollers 8.

Hung from each of two ti rods I!) extending from one member to the other are two pawls II free to swing thereon and spaced from each other, the support 3 lying between them. On each rod is a coil spring ii, in this instance only, so mounted and controlled that one end thereof in bearing against a pawl will maintain such pawl yieldingly in the direction of said support 3 in order to engag any one of the steps 3' of the latter during teetering movement.

In addition to the bars 9 a pair of companion bars 9' is provided spaced downwardly from said bars 9, opposite ends of all of the bars having pivotal relation with a supporting member l3 a pair of seats l4, it being noted that the upper and lower bars, 9, 9' are cross connected to create a rigid trussed fram structure, all of course being by preference.

Spaced below this described frame-structure is a pair of bars, or levers, l5, one at each of two opposite sides of the support 3 and each pivotally supported at its middle'on one of the previously named vertically shiftable bars 6, the ends of the bars or levers l5 pivotally supporting the lower ends of theseat supporting memb'ers 13 just mentioned, the latter being adjustable along the parts 9 and 9' and lever I5, if desired, to afford means of balancing the weights of riders.

The structure made up of the bars 9, 9, l5 and the seats I4 now compris what I term the teeter-board, it being observed that the extremities of the bars [5 extended beyond the seats, carry suitable cross strips 15 answering as fioorings for occupants of the apparatus.

It is observed, further, that in the horizontal positions of the bars 9, 9' and I5, Figure 1 the seats l' l each stand substantially upright, since the distance between the point of pivotal support of bars 9 and IE to the seat supporting member I3 are the same. However, since the said bars 9 and I5 swing upon widely spaced pivot points their ends will describe different arcs and thus the seats will be tilted toward and away from each other, Figure 1., for a purpose to appear in the description of the operation.

Shiftablevertically upon the support 3 besides the members 1 is a structure, Figure 9, including two spaced members or plates it connected at their upper ends for example to maintain theirsubstantially fixed relation. Each of these ther structure including a pair of spaced plates 18 which in this instance have upper and lower extended ears l9, one of the plates also having a stud 29 projecting therefrom. This structure encloses the lower extremities of the bar 6 and is slidable vertically upon the same, the plates being connected by bolts 2! extending through the lugs l9, said bolts lying outward from and paralleling the plates It.

It is noted that the lower end of one of the bars 6, Figure 10, has extended lugs 6' and that these, as shown in Figure 8 lie opposit the recesses created between the lugs 1'9 of the plates 18 and each carries a stud 6 Two springs Hi are attached to and extend between, the ears I! and the lower bolts 2| for example.

Assembled as in said Figure 8 coil springs 22 and 23 are carried at one of their ends on the studs to their other ends being carried by the stud which is common to both said springs. The springs are under compression and, as shown in Figure 14, each may enclose a pair of overlapping strips 24, the latter preventing collapse thereof.

Near the upper end of the Support 3 is'a stopmember such as a clamp '25, Figure 1, or it may be a pin 26, Figure 15. Also near the base of said support may be any suitable stop-member such as a pin 21. The purpose of said steps will appear in the following;

In normal standing position or that position most convenient of access, of course, the teeterboard may be at the lowermost position at the support 3. At this time it may be stated that in the ascending movement of the board" the slotted plates [6 have no ofiice but that in the descending movement they are caused to affect the pawls in a manner to be explained.

In starting, the occupant of the highest seat,

see dotted lines at the right of Figure 1, finds himself tilted forward toward the raised foot platform at his said seat. At this time, see Figure 12 at the left, his pawl will be in engagement with a step 3'; Now with his feet on'his said platform by exerting pressure thereon by straightening his limbs, with his back against the seat-back, the resultant leverage applied causes the board to be swung downwardly on its two pivots, the same being thereby lifted due to restingupon the named pawl. The opposite end of the board is thus raised,of course, and with it is carried the opposite pawl to a new position or said members or plates lies on the said support a 3 facing the named steps 3" as shown in Figures Sand 6 for example, and each has a slot I6 through which extends one of the pawls H, see Figures 9, 12 and 13, while at the lower extremity of each plate in said Figure 9 is an outwardly extending lug ll. The relation of the bar 6 and one of the members or plates I6 is perhaps best shown in Figure 6. In this figure and in Figures '7, 8 and 11 is illustrated a furstep higher than that of the pawl first described, whereupon the occupant of the thus raised boardextremity applies a like effort thus accomplishing a lifting of the said first pawl, with a further lift of the board to a new height.

At the right in Figure 12 just referred to, the pawl l I is in the act of being lifted with the bars 9 as the latter tilt upwardly at that side of said figure. Said pawl is about to approach and rest upon a next higher step 3', or that next above the one upon which the left-hand pawl is resting as a support for a further climb of said bars.

Continued action finally brings the board to any highest position predetermined by the position of the stop-member or 26, such member lying in the path of travel of one or the other or both plates l B'carrying the plates l 8 of Figures 8 or 11. In the ascending travel the toggle made up of the spring arrangement 22- -23 has the raised position shown in Figure 8 and during such time the pawls II have been free to have their step-by-step action through the slots l6 of the plates [6.

Upon plates I6 meeting the stop 25 in the continued upward movement of the board; the plate structure Iii-I8 is shifted to an' opposite or low position on the members 6, the toggle swinging past center downwardly, see dotted lines in Figure 8.

Upon descending to a low position the platestructure Itlstrikes the lower stop 21 thus automatically allowing the pawls to be free of the plate It by relieving the pull upon the spring I6 At this time the riders or occupants of the board by their alternately applied efforts may repeat the upward climb.

It is to be understood that as the upper stop 25 is reached by the plate I6 the continued eflort of the riders in the climbing act causes the plate structure I 8 to be shifted downwardly due to the plates I6 striking said stop. The ears I L Figure 8, strike the upper bolts 2|, Figure 11, forcing the structure I8I8 downwardly changing the relation of the pawls at the steps 3, whereas at the lower position the teeter-board structure due to its weight shifts and moves downwardly through the plate structure when the latter meets the stop 21, said plate structure thereby shifting with respect to the plates I6, again changing the pawl relation. Of course, the plate structure could also strike the lower frame I in the downward movement, and the plates I6 could strike the upper frame portion at 4, 5 in the upward travel, all with the same result, i. e., the reversal of teeter-board travel. It may be stated that the springs I5 connecting the plates I6 with the plate structure I8-I8 are merely strong enough to carry the weight of the latter yet permitting the shift of the same downwardly.

The upper and lower stop-members Z5 and 21, respectively, may be adjusted to permit operation between any predetermined limit. Most naturally, the upper stop will be that most likely to be adjusted, especially when, for example, very young riders are to make use of the apparatus where a limit in height of travel is desirable as a. safety measure.

In Figure l the seats are shown facing outwardly or so that the riders face in opposite direction. This is done to the end that the efiorts of such riders will be most easily applied for leverage purposes in operating the apparatus. In Figure 15, however, the seats may face each other.

When so placed an arrangement is provided for operating the board otherwise than previously stated. That is to say, arms 28 may be secured upon a traveling part of the apparatus such, for example, as the plate a in the figure named, said plate corresponding to a bar 6 of the form shown in said Figure 1. Each arm extends to a position above a seat and a rope depends from each, but one being shown.

This is merely a preferred manner of suspend.- ing the ropes in that such ropes, with the arms, travel with the balance of the arrangement.

In the use of this form or arrangement the rider who is lowermost brings about the rocking movement of the board by a pull on the rope.

The drawings show two ways of constructing the apparatus but naturally other ways are open for bringing about the end sought.

Due to the arrangement of the 'parts of the structure the teeter-board can remain at rest at any height since one or the other of the pawls I I is in engagement with a step 3', provided that the up and down swinging movement of the teeterboard islimited to prevent the opposite pawl from engaging the next higher step 3', but the riders may start operating the board to climb higher until, having reached the highest point, the automatic change in pawl relation will at once result in'- the descending action already de-v scribed.

During the climbing action the springs .IIi connected to and between the ears I! of the plates I 6 and the bolts 2| of the structure I8 have exerted no pull upon said plates since said ears have been resting upon said bolts holding the plates in raised position clear of the pawls I I.

The toggle, however, having been reversed as last above explained has resulted in lowering the structure I8 thus moving its bolts 2I away from the ears I! allowing the spring I 6 to act for the purpose of maintaining a downward pull on the said plates I6 so as to be in position at their edges, at the upper limit of the slots I6, to engage the pawls. Said plates as a unit now follow down as the structure I8 descends with the bars 6.

When, now, a pawl on a step 3 is supporting the weight of the teeter-board the plate I6 rests upon such pawl. In a succeeding upward tilt of the board opposite that pawl the weight is taken from the opposite pawl in the upward movement thereof releasing such opposite pawl which, due to the position of the plate is held away from the said support 3 and drops to a next lower step 3' in the lowering movement, each pawl acting in this manner.

For this reason the pawls being alternately held outwardly cannot engage a next step above but must drop to a step below instead. As the bars 6 descend step-by-step with the teeter-boards weight the plates I5 follow step-by-step due to the position pull of the springs I6 thereon and since the plates are fixed relatively they both move at the same time. When one of them engages a pawl that member is withdrawn from a step as the weight of the board is transferred therefrom to the opposite pawl during the rocking movement, consequently in the next rocking movement the first pawl named must drop to a next lower step. Thus the board in effect is dropped step-by-step reaching the limit of downward travel wholly by gravity action, no effort of the riders being required. Stated in another way, as a pawl is held outwardly the board-end adjacent thereto rocks downwardly until the 0pposite pawl is released whereupon the board descends at that side, and so on, the pawls being the pivot members upon which the structure rocks and about which it swings.

While springs have been described and shown as the means for controlling the pawls II and other parts herein, it is to be understood that other means for the several purposes may be substituted.

I claim:

1. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including an upright support, a second structure adapted for raising and lowering shifting movement with respect thereto, a teeter-board pivoted at its middle on the second named structure and maintained in a fixed vertical plane in its shifting movement with the latter, a pawl carried by said teeter-board at each side of the pivot point thereof, and a stepped portion carried by the first named structure with which the pawls alternately engage in the rocking movement of said teeter-board in either direction of shifting movement of said second structure.

2. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a substantially upright support having a series of steps arranged one above the other, a

structure guided thereon in a fixed vertical plane adapted for a raising and'lowering movement thereon, a teeter-board pivotally carried by the second named structure, and a pawl pivotally carried by said teeter-board at each side of the pivot point thereof, each normally held elastically in the direction of the named steps, the pawls being alternately lifted in the rocking movement of said board to engage a next higher step and alternately constituting a separate pivoting member and support for said board, and mechanism carried by the second named member to engage and prevent engagement of the pawls alternately with certain of the steps during one direction of travel of said second structure.

3. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a substantially upright support having a series of steps arranged vertically thereon projecting alternately from opposite sides thereof, a structure guided on the support adapted for a raising and lowering movement, a teeter board pivotally carried by the second named structure, a pawl pivotally carried by the teeter-board at each side of the pivot of the same, each normally held elastically in the direction of and adapted to engage a step, the pawls being alternately lifted in the rocking movement of the board whereby each will engage a next higher step, each pawl constituting a support for the board and the pivot member upon which the same swings in alternate manner, mechanism carried by the second named member to engage and prevent engagement of the pawls alternately with certain of the steps during one direction of travel of said second structure, said mechanism being shiftable with respect to the latter, and a stop on the first namer structure to receive said mechanism against it.

4. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a substantially upright support having a series of steps arranged thereon one above 'another at opposite sides thereof, a second structure guided on the support for vertical movement in either of two directions, a teeter-board pivoted on said second structure, a pawl pivotally carried by the teeter-board at each side of the pivot thereof, each elastically controlled and adapted to move toward and engage upon a step during the rocking of said board, a third structure carried by and shiitable with respect to said second structure including a part to be brought into the path of movement of either pawl to prevent engagement with other than alternate steps during one direction of travel of said second structure, a shiftable fourth structure in control of the said third structure for shifting the same in either direction, and a stop at each extreme of travel of said third structure with which that structure engages.

5. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a support having a series of steps arranged one above another, a structure adapted for raising and lowering movement with respect to the support, a roclrable teeter-board pivoted on the second named structure, a pawl pivotally carried on the board at opposite sides of the pivot of said second named structure, each adapted to engage and bear upon a step and therethrough elevate the board during its rocking movement, means for directly controlling the pawls, mechanism on said second named structure adapted to directly act upon said means, and a stop member in the path of travel of said mechanism for shifting the same for changing the relation of said means to said pawls to effect a reversal of travel of the said board.

6. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a support having a series of steps arranged at opposite sides thereof in vertical order, a structure adapted to travel vertically at said support, a teeter-board pivotally mounted on the second named structure, a pawl pivoted on the board at each side of the series of steps, each pawl separately adapted to engage upon a step in the rocking movement of the board to effect a climbing action of said board, means to control the relation of movement of the parts with respect to the step, a'stop-member on the support, and shiftable mechanism carried by said second named structure to engage the stop-member to bring about a reversal of lineal travel of the board with respect to the said support.

7. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including a support having a series of steps arranged at opposite sides thereof in vertical order, a structure adapted to travel in a vertical line on said support, a teeter-board pivotally mounted on the second named structure, a pawl pivoted on the board at each side of the series of steps adapted separately to abut upon a step in the rocking movement of said board to effect a climbing acion of the'latter, a stop-member on the support, a shiftable mechanism carried by the said second named structure to engage the stop-member during the lineal travel of the board, and means in control ofthe pawls to change their relation to the steps during action, and changed in such relation by said mechanism when the latter meets said step-member whereby to bring about a reversal of such lineal travel of said board.

8. In an amusement apparatus, a structure including an upright support having a series of steps arranged in vertical order thereon and extending laterally from each side thereof in alternate order, a structure mounted to have linear movement along said support, a teeter-board pivoted on the second named structure, a pawl pivoted on the board at each side of the support, the pawls being elastically held in the direction of the steps and adapted to separately and successively abut upon a step in the rocking movement of said board, a shiftable plate for the control of each pawl, shiftable mechanism to shift the plates with respect to the pawls, and a stop-member in the path of the mechanism to engage and bring about the shifting of the same.

FREDERICK CICERO 

